The Labyrinth Keys

My mouth is now dry, "Gaze of eternity?"

Falastor nods, "It is the burden of perfection—the eternal judgment of every flaw, every failure. To carry my essence is to stand under that gaze forever. Many have tried. None endured."

The words hang between us, and for a moment, I hesitate. It's not fear exactly—more like the weight of the unknown pressing on me. But the memory of Rin, the betrayal, and the unrelenting pressure to survive pushes me forward.

"Fine," I say at last, my voice firm. "If that's what it takes, then let's get this over with."

Falastor tilts his head, almost curious, like he's surprised by my resolve. "Very well, mortal," he says, his tone carrying a warning. "But understand this: there is no undoing this trial. Once it begins, you will either prove your worth—or shatter under its weight. I will also gaze at every memory and emotion you have ever had."

I nod, fists clenched at my sides. "I'm ready."

His golden eyes lock onto mine, burning with an intensity that feels alive. "Then let us begin."

The moment he speaks, the ground beneath me falls away, and the world dissolves into blinding light.

I feel it immediately—thousands, maybe millions, of unseen eyes fixed on me. It's not just a feeling; it's a weight, like the air has turned to lead. Every breath, every twitch of my muscles feels magnified, like even the smallest movement is being judged. My chest tightens, and I can't shake the sensation that I'm on the verge of being crushed under the sheer intensity of their gaze.

The voices come next. They're not loud, but they're everywhere, a maddening hum that worms its way into my head. Some are mocking, others are soft and insidious, whispering things I can't quite make out. They're all focused on me, tearing me apart piece by piece. It's like my every thought, every choice, is being picked apart by this endless, invisible jury.

The eyes seem to judge every choice I have ever made, and the voices accuse me. I see visions of my childhood, teenage years, and adulthood. I see visions of my orphanage I see myself hitting another child in a rage. I hear the voices begin to mock me, "Low born, Violent, Angry, Insolent." The eyes are almost worst they silently judge me with scorn.

Next I see visions of my teenage years stealing on the streets back in Ashfield. I see myself grabbing bread that a child dropped for me. I pick it up and eat it like a dog eating table scraps. The voices mock again, "Dog, scavenger, parasite, insect." Eyes bore into me almost painfully now.

Next memory happens in adulthood my most vulnerable memory. I see a vision of myself yelling into an earpiece, "The fucking security is still here Finn! God dammit! I am going in!" The voices are like needles digging into my flesh, "Bad leader, rash, terrible friend, coward."

I feel the weight of the eyes and feel like crying now I can see why any host would break upon seeing all of this spotlight on their worst moments. I feel horrible with each memory I feel like I am losing a piece of myself. I refuse to back down though I am more self-aware than the average person. Anything they say to me is nothing I haven't said to myself before.

I begin shouting at the voices, "Yeah, I've screwed up. A lot. And I'll probably screw up again. But that's me. I am human and I accept my flaws this is who Jack Vesper is and I am not ashamed of it."

The eyes fade away, but the whispers remain pouring in insults directly into my brain, but I refuse to yield. I shout, "You can all watch, judge, and whisper, but none of it matters. I decide who I am, not you" The voices fade away now leaving me alone in the pitch black mindscape. I relax a little, but I don't let my guard down. I realize that can't be the only reason Falastor has never had a host.